Day Eleven ....

Today we have been rushing all around ... to the post office, get driver license renewed, stop at the vets, across town to pick up special paper, over to the grocery and back home only to remember I still need to get busy on Day Eleven sketch! 

As I was putting away all of our purchases, I pulled out a little Sock Monkey ornament that I had picked up for the tree and thought "Ah Hah!  Day Eleven's subject!" ... who doesn't love a sock monkey!?!  Sock Monkey to the rescue!

Note to self:  A good time NOT to start a challenge is between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's!

If you are interested in Brenda Swenson's Challenge click on the highlighted link and you'll be taken directly over to her blog.....

Merry Christmas!

Karen Anne

Day Seven and I am still hanging in ....

Today I began the day by putting a 15 pound turkey into the oven, in preparation for a big Family Christmas Party tomorrow with all my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, our children and grandchildren and of course my Mom!  Mom and Dad had a total of six children who eventually married, had children who eventually got married, who had more children!  From Mom and Dad we have grown into a family that now numbers 66+ (never know when a new little blessing is on the way)!

Anyway, with the smell of roasting turkey wafting through the house I decided I might as well get started on my Day Seven ink sketch.  The subject today is from a card I received from my sister, about ten or so years ago, of a photograph of a little angel holding a basket of fruit (picture must be around circa 1920 or so) that I had framed because it was so charming.  The photograph was in sepia tones so for this rendering I decided to use deep brown ink and it seems those little circles are determined to be in yet another illustration!

"Little Angel"

 

Merry Christmas All!

Karen Anne

PS  If you would like to learn more about the "75 Day Sketch Challenge" just click on Brenda Swenson's Challenge .

12/15/2011 is Day Five!

These last two ink sketches seem to reflect the fact that I am finding the Christmas spirit!

Day Five's subject is a beaded ornament.  For about 4 years running I made a beaded ornament (cover) for each of my children, their spouses, each grandchild, and many friends.  Each year I would use a different pattern and base the beads used upon the recipient's favorite colors for that year.  The color combinations were sometimes unusual but always unique and individual to that person.

The ornament I used for day five was one of my least complicated patterns ....

"A Beaded Christmas Ornament"

I have still not resorted to use of a pencil and eraser, but I have been sorely tempted!  There was nothing in the rules about using a template, so I did resort to using a circle template in the sketch.  A plain background was just too "plain" so I added different size circles and I think it rather looks like snowflakes or various sized Christmas lights.  What do you think?

Remember, if you want to check out this challenge just go to

Brenda Swenson's Blog "The 75 Day Sketch Challenge".

Merry Christmas!

Karen Anne

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

St. Patrick's Day is on its way and I thought now would be a good time to try my hand at some Celtic Knot designs. My first attempt at this beautiful style of art is a piece I have titled "Celtic Knot Shamrock".   I have the original ACEO as well as Open Edition ACEO art prints now available in My Etsy Shop.

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

I am going to try my hand at some more celtic knot designs and hope to be sharing them with you in the near future.  Wish me luck (of the Irish?) in my latest endeavors!

Your friend,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Two more Zentangle Valentine's!

As Valentine Day rapidly approaches people search out a special card for that someone special. With an ACEO Valentine you can give a card that is also an art piece which can be framed and viewed with loving remembrance of that special day on which it was given. These Valentines are titled "Me + You = Us!" and "You + Me = We!". After all, Valentine's Day is really a celebration of a couples' love for each other. 

Happy Valentine Day to all the couples out there!

Karen Anne

A Second Design for PIY(print it yourself) Christmas Stationary

I posted my first Christmas Stationary listing yesterday and decided it would be nice to have a design that was a bit simpler with Christmas colors. The end result is this delightful three ornament PDF or JPEG file in red and green holiday colors! Each ornament is filled with its own holiday zentangle design.

I am offering this to you in PDF format (3.7MB) or JPEG format (3.8MB), please comment in "Note from Buyer" which format you prefer; if no comment is made, the PDF file will be sent. You'll be able to use the file for years to come!

In this listing I have also included an example of how adding a monogram can make the stationary personalized. So many people now days like to send Christmas letters to family and friends letting all know what they have been doing the past year. This design would make your Christmas greetings really stand out!

Happy Holidays!

Karen Anne

Something New!

The other day I was doodling away on nothing in particular, after awhile a design began to emerge and I realized I was creating a unique pattern for Christmas Stationary! I decided this is a nice time of year to make this available to others to print out stationary using their favorite paper. So I am offering this to you in PDF format (5.3MB) or JPEG format (7.9MB), please comment in "Note from Buyer" which format you prefer. You'll be able to use the file for years to come!

I am using this to create a unique Christmas card this year and have included a copy in this listing as an example of usage. So many people now days like to send Christmas letters to family and friends letting all know what they have been doing the past year. This design would make your Christmas greetings really stand out!

If you choose the PDF format you will need PDF reader to open the file. Please make sure you have a PDF reader software installed before you purchase. 

Once payment has been confirmed, the PDF or JPEG file will be emailed to the e-mail address that appears in your Etsy. The PDF or JPEG file will be mailed within 48 hours of receipt of payment. Upon receipt, simply download to your computer and use!

Happy Holiday Season!

Karen Anne

"Nine Christmas Santa Elves"

Over the past several days I have enjoyed the pleasure of creating nine ACEO Christmas Elves, each has their own unique personality and derive joy from their chosen Christmas profession and helping to spread happiness throughout the Holiday Season. As I was looking at these nine charming little individuals, I thought "Wouldn't it be delightful if I could combine them all on one page?!" and so, with help of my handy dandy scanner, I created a unique art print complete with all nine Christmas Elves! 

This charming authorized art print is made on an ink jet printer using 140 pound weight white acid free card stock, size 8-1/2" x 11". The print size is a non-standard 7" x 10", and the individual elves images are slightly smaller than the regulation ACEO size of 2.5"x3.5". But for those of you who would like all nine elves, this is a unique way to do so. Besides being able to frame the entire print, one can cut them apart and use them in a variety of creative ways.



You can find the "Nine Christmas Santa Elves"  for sale in My Etsy Shop as an authorized art print.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Karen Anne Brady aka IrelandBrady